The county is set to experience a deluge of rain but areas of higher ground may be dusted with a few centimetres of snow. 

The Met Office has warned temperatures could fall below freezing tonight and lead to ice on the roads on Thursday morning.

The Met Office's yellow snow and sleet warning remains in place for tonight and Thursday morning, but despite sub-zero temperatures only those on the highest ground are likely to see any white.

The rest of us are likely to be on the receiving end of a bout of heavy rain until about 3am tomorrow, when skies will clear to leave a sunny yet chilly day.

The rain is set to be so severe, Cotswold Wildlife Park has advised visitors to delay their trip.

It tweeted: "Due to heavy rainfall, visitors are strongly recommended to delay their visit and are advised not to attempt to visit on Thursday, February 18."

Yesterday morning residents braved icy conditions after a night of cold, which left the county glittering with frost. 

The Met Office alert states: "Some places will see rain or sleet rather than snow but at least for some of the higher ground, and more locally at lower elevations, there may be a cover of snow - perhaps a few cm locally."

Commuters were warned of disruptions to travel, with drivers preparing for potentially dangerous conditions. 

It will be the county's second smattering of snow this year, after residents woke up to wintry white views in January. 

Gritters out in force as snow is forecast in county

Oxford Mail:

  • Gritter lorry driver Glen Lyford prepares to fill up his truck

GRITTERS have been out in force to tackle icy roads as temperatures plummet and households face a snowy night.

Drivers and pedestrians are being warned to take care and wrap up warm as a severe weather warning for snow has been issued by the Met Office for the county.

Today temperatures are expected to drop from about 5C at midday to about 2C overnight, but it will feel like -1C.

A few centimetres of snow are expected to fall tonight on higher grounds across Oxfordshire with other areas likely to see sleet instead.

The plunging mercury will continue into Thursday with temperatures reaching just above freezing point during the day before sliding into minus figures during the night.

The yellow warning issued by the Met Office means there could be some disruption to travel and Oxfordshire County Council has been salting roads as a result.

On Monday night, eight gritters sent out from the Drayton depot, with Glen Lyford – who covers areas such as Didcot and Harwell – driving the gritter lorry nicknamed True Grit.

The lorries headed out at 7pm to grit local main roads and bus routes – some 1,200 miles and about 40 per cent of the county’s highways.